Henry sat on the thick carpet outside the bedroom, me leg bent, the other stretched out carelessly. His face wan shrouded in dsides, brews butneed in: expression & cualitat quite read,
Henry, 1 said subconsciously, “are you really hurt? The words felt foreign in my mouth, treacherous in their concern. “Let me take a look..
Emotions aren’t light switches, I thought bitterly. You can’t just flip them off when love turns toxic. Even now, after everything, my medical training warted with my broken heart. If he was truly injured, I’d need to get him to Manhattan General immediately.
My hand moved of its own accord, pale fingers teaching out to check for injuries. The moment my skin touched his, I felt him tense. The contrast between my hand and his skin seemed to spark something dangerous in the air between us.
Without warning. Henry surged to his feet, sweeping me up into his arms. Before I could process what was happening, his heel kicked the bedroom dont shut behind us. His fingers were already at my clothes, urgent and demanding.
‘Bastard!” 1 fought against his grip, my nails taking across his jaw. ‘Let go of me!
“Henry Harding, you monster!” My voice rose with panic and rage. “We’re getting divorced! You have no right to touch me!
He paid no attention to my struggles, his breath hot against my neck. His hands tightened possessively around my wrists as he pressed me against the wall.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his voice rough with desire. “No matter what papers you sign, you’ll always be mine.*
I’m not your property!” I spat back, but he silenced me with a bruising kiss.
“Really?” His gray eyes burned with dark intensity. “Then why does your body still respond to my touch? Why do you still smell like vanilla – my favorite?” His fingers traced my collarbone possessively. “Everything about you belongs to me, Sophia. Everything.”
“Get off!” I twisted violently in his arms. “If you’re so desperate, go find Isabella! Isn’t she your true love?”
The mention of Isabella’s name seemed to fuel his aggression. His grip tightened painfully.
“Get out!” I spat the words like venom. “You beast!”
Henry laughed darkly, his grip tightening. “A beast? Is that what you think of me?”
“You’re worse than a beast,” I hissed, still struggling. “At least animals are loyal to their mates. You? You’re nothing but a coward who can’t decide what he
wants!”
His eyes flashed dangerously. “Don’t pretend to know what I want, Sophia.”
“Oh, I know exactly what you want,” I shot back, bitter laughter bubbling up. “You want Isabella’s love and my body. How pathetic is that?”
You claim to love Isabella but betray her like this?” My voice cracked with bitter laughter. “Will she forgive you for this?”
Suddenly, Henry froze. His hand moved to his jaw where my nails had left thin red lines. A cold smile twisted his lips, and then he was gone, the door slamming behind him with enough force to make me flinch.
His phone rang in the hallway. “I’m coming,” he answered, his voice transformed into that gentle tone he reserved for Isabella alone. Moments later, I heard his luxury car roar to life in the garage, the sound of the engine fading into the rainy night as his headlights briefly illuminated the darkness before disappearing completely.
I lay back on the massive bed, my mind blank as I stared at the ceiling. The same bed where we’d shared countless nights of passion, all of them meaningless to him. My heart felt dead in my chest.
“Mom! Mom!” Billy’s voice cut through my numbness. “What’s wrong? I heard shouting!”
I forced a smile, trying to smooth my disheveled appearance. “Just a little argument with Dad, sweetheart. Nothing serious.”
1/2
Chapter 34
Milly’s Omall band reached up to touch my cheek. But you’re erving, Mam. When Emma Erien at Cühnet, Mrs. Peterson pays i mean.
My heart melted at his perceptiveness. Sometimes grown–ups try even when they te not really and, I led, pulling him close. Like when you enteraher silly cartoons with me, remember?”
But those are happy tears, he said wisely, his blue eyes serious. These look different. Did Daddy make you sad again?” His lower lip trembled nightly. “H always makes you had when Isabella suntie is around.”
Aty son climbed onto the heil, his small hands gentle as he tried to fix my messy hair. “Don’t be scared, Mom. Once I learn Taekwondo, I’ll protect your His face brightened. “You’ll sign me up, right?”
Of course, sweetheart,” I managed a genuine smile, touched by his determination to protect me. But you know what? You already make me feel safe pust by being here.
“Really?” His eyes lit up. “But I want to be stronger?‘ He punched the air enthusiastically. make you cry again.”
Practice every day and get super strong. Then no one will ser
The innocent conviction in his voice made my heart ache. Even at five, my son was trying to be the protector his father never was.
Warmth flooded my chest at his words, chasing away some of the cold emptiness. Within minutes, we were in a taxi headed to Betty’s apartment, leaving Maple Grove behind without a backward glance. My heart had finally flatlined when it came to Henry Harding.
The next morning, after dropping Billy at Brooklyn Heights Academy, I rushed to Manhattan General, arriving three minutes late.
Thomas had already assembled the nursing staff for morning rounds. Everyone was waiting, their eyes following me as I hurried to join them.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” I managed, slightly out of breath.
Get changed quickly,” Thomas replied, his voice professional. “We’re starting rounds.”
I quickly donned my nurse’s uniform, falling into place at the back of the group. The other nurses clustered around Thomas, their bodies forming an effective barrier that pushed me to the periphery. He cut an impressive figure – the youngest Chief of Internal Medicine in the hospital’s history, a Cambridge Medical School graduate whose presence set hearts fluttering throughout the ward.
I kept my head down, focused on my duties as we moved from room to room. The other nurses‘ attempts to edge me out were obvious, but I’d learned to ignore such petty games. My mind was already racing ahead to our next stop – Isabella Scott’s room.
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